Light Flux Controlling Member Center Determination Mark
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vortex lens surfaces with non-circular outer edges make it impossible to determine the center position of the lens surface, which is crucial for accurate positioning and optical performance in multimode fiber communications.
Innovation Solution
A light flux controlling member with a light flux control surface having an outer edge defined by a point A rotated 360 degrees or more around a point O, along with a center determination mark disposed outside the surface on a circle around point O, allowing for precise center determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vortex lens surface with non-circular outer edge is used, then the optical performance is improved by suppressing DMD, but the center position of the lens surface cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
A center determination mark is introduced as an intermediary element to indicate the center position of the vortex lens surface. This mark serves as a mediator between the non-circular outer shape and the required center position information, allowing the center to be determined without relying on the outer edge geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The center determination mark creates a simplified copy or representation of the center position information. Instead of using the complex non-circular outer shape to determine the center, a separate mark is created that directly indicates the center position, making measurement and alignment easier.
2Reliability
If the outer edge shape is made non-circular, then the light flux control performance is improved, but the ease of positioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The center determination mark acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the non-circular shape (which provides optical performance) and the positioning requirement. The mark provides a clear reference point for positioning without requiring the outer edge to be circular.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention accepts and utilizes the asymmetric non-circular outer edge shape for optical performance while introducing a separate symmetric circular mark for positioning. This allows the system to benefit from both asymmetric shape (for optics) and symmetric reference (for positioning).
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the accurate determination of the center of non-circular light flux control surfaces, facilitating correct positioning and improving optical performance in communication systems.
Implementation Method 1
A vortex lens (vortex phase plate) is an optical element (light flux control component) with a surface (vortex surface) having a continuous or stepwise spiral shape. When light with a Gaussian distribution with high intensity in the central part is passed through a vortex lens, it is converted into light with a ring-shaped intensity distribution, in which the intensity in the central part is significantly reduced.
Implementation Method 2
When light converted to a ring-shaped intensity distribution by the vortex lens is entered into a multimode fiber, the effect of the refractive index distribution at the center of the core is suppressed, and light of higher-order modes becomes predominant, thus suppressing degradation of the light waveform.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a light flux controlling member that can determine the center of a lens surface (light flux control surface) that does not have a circular outer edge in plan view. A light flux controlling member of the present invention includes: a light flux control surface including an outer edge with a shape that is drawn by a point A when a straight line connecting a point O and the point A is rotated 360 degrees or more clockwise or counterclockwise around the point O while a length of the straight line is gradually increased in plan view; and a center determination mark disposed outside of the light flux control surface and on a circle around the point O in plan view.